Reinforcing bar coupling

ABSTRACT

A reinforcing bar coupling includes a sleeve segment having a deformable interior section weaker than the balance of the segment. The deformable interior section, for example including deformable ribs, is configured to be pressed onto ends of reinforcing bars to be spliced together. The ribs deform onto and around deformations on exterior surfaces on the ends of the reinforcing bars. Thus locked to the ends of the reinforcing bars under pressure, the sleeve segment secures the ends of the reinforcing bars together. The sleeve segment may take any of a variety of forms, such as an insert placed inside a sleeve, or a portion of a sleeve, between the sleeve or portion, and the reinforcing bar. The clamp used to press the sleeve segment onto the reinforcing bar ends may also have a variety of forms, such as including bolts, tapered collars, or fingered collars.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field Of The Invention

The invention is related to the field of devices and methods forcoupling reinforcing bars.

2. Description Of The Related Art

In steel reinforced concrete construction, there are generally threetypes of splices or connections; namely lap splices; mechanical splices;and welding. Probably the most common is the lap splice where two barends are lapped side-by-side and wire tied together. The bar ends are ofcourse axially offset which creates design problems, and eccentricloading whether compressive or tensile from bar-to-bar. Welding issuitable for some bar steels but not for others and the heat mayactually weaken some bars. Done correctly, it requires great skill andis expensive Mechanical splices normally require a bar end preparationor treatment such as threading, upsetting or both. They also may requirecareful torquing.

Improvements are continually being sought in mechanical splices andsplicing methods, for instance to improve performance, cost, and/or easeof installation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the invention, a reinforcing bar splice forjoining reinforcing bars, includes: a sleeve segment having longitudinalintegral ribs deforming to conform to deformations on the reinforcingbars when the sleeve segment and the bars are relatively pressedtogether; and a clamp operatively configured to relatively press thesleeve segment and the bars together.

According to another aspect of the invention, a splice for deformedreinforcing bar includes a sleeve segment having longitudinal ribs on aninner surface; and means to clamp the sleeve segment against an end ofthe deformed bar to cause the ribs to deform to conform to and lock thedeformed bar.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, a splice for deformedreinforcing bar includes: a sleeve segment having a deformable interiorsection weaker than the balance of the segment; and means to press theweaker interior section against the bar to cause it to conform to andlock with the deformed bar.

According to still another aspect of the invention, a method of splicingreinforcing bars having deformations thereupon, includes the steps of:placing longitudinal ribs of a sleeve section against ends of the bars;and pressing the longitudinal ribs onto the bars, causing them toconform to the bar deformations.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the inventioncomprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularlypointed out in the claims. The following description and the annexeddrawings set forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of theinvention. These embodiments are indicative, however, of but a few ofthe various ways in which the principles of the invention may beemployed. Other objects, advantages and novel features of the inventionwill become apparent from the following detailed description of theinvention when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In the annexed drawings, which are not necessarily to scale:

FIG. 1 is an oblique view of a splice of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of some parts of the splice of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cutaway side view partly in section, of part ofthe splice of FIG. 1, illustrating the locking between ribs and areinforcing bar;

FIG. 4 is an end view showing a sleeve section of the splice of FIG. 1,with undeformed ribs;

FIG. 5 is an end view showing a sleeve section of the splice of FIG. 1,with partially-deformed ribs;

FIG. 6 is an end view showing a sleeve section of the splice of FIG. 1,with fully-deformed ribs;

FIG. 7 is an oblique view of a sleeve section according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged end view of the sleeve section of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the sleeve section of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a view of the sleeve section seen from the bottom of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an oblique view illustrating sleeve sections of FIG. 7 aspart of a splice;

FIG. 12 is an oblique view of another embodiment of a splice inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 13 is an end view of the splice of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a cutaway side view of the splice of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is an exploded view illustrating details of some of the parts ofthe splice of FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is an end view illustrating one variation of the splice of FIGS.12-15;

FIG. 17 is an end view illustrating another variation of the splice ofFIGS. 12-15;

FIG. 18 is an oblique view of an embodiment of a sleeve of the presentinvention, having an integral sleeve segment with integral longitudinalribs;

FIG. 19 is an end view of the sleeve of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is an oblique view of yet another embodiment of a splice inaccordance with the present invention:

FIG. 21 is an end view of the splice of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a cutaway side view of the splice of FIG. 20;

FIG. 23 is an oblique view of still another embodiment of a splice inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 24 is a cutaway side view of the splice of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is an end view of the splice of FIG. 23;

FIG. 26 is a side view of a further embodiment of a splice in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 27 is an oblique view of a sleeve segment for use in the splice ofFIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is an end view of the sleeve segment of FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is a side view if the splice of FIG. 26, showing the spliceprior to engagement of the fingers of the sleeve portions;

FIG. 30 is an oblique view of a still further embodiment of a splice inaccordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 31 is an end view of a sleeve that is part of the splice of FIG.30.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A reinforcing bar coupling includes a sleeve segment having a deformableinterior section weaker than the balance of the segment. The deformableinterior section, for example including deformable ribs, is configuredto be pressed onto ends of reinforcing bars to be spliced together. Theribs deform onto and around deformations on exterior surfaces on theends of the reinforcing bars. Thus secured to the ends of thereinforcing bars under pressure, the sleeve segment secures the ends ofthe reinforcing bars together. The sleeve segment may take any of avariety of forms, such as an insert placed inside a sleeve, or a portionof a sleeve, between the sleeve or portion, and the reinforcing bar. Theclamp used to press the sleeve segment onto the reinforcing bar ends mayalso have a variety of forms, such as bolts contacting the reinforcingbar ends or an insert, bolts arranged to squeeze ends of a sleevetogether, tapered collars that engage outer surfaces of one or moresleeve segment, or fingered collars that press inward against the sleevesegment.

FIG. 1 shows the generalized configuration of a reinforcing bar splice10, for splicing together reinforcing bars 12 and 14 (also referred toherein as “bar ends”). The splice 10 includes a sleeve segment 16 and aclamp 18. The term “sleeve segment,” as used herein, refers to at leasta portion of a curved sleeve, such as would partially or whollycircumferentially engage and surround a cylindrical object, such as anannulet may engage and surround a column. A sleeve segment, as the termis used herein, may completely circumferentially surround a cylindricalobject, such as a reinforcing bar. Alternatively, a sleeve segment maybe along only a circumferential portion of the cylindrical object. Asleeve segment has a curved inner surface for engaging the cylindricalobject. The outer surface of a sleeve section may also be curved, butdoes not need to be curved. A sleeve segment may be a separate item, ormay be a unitary and integral part of a sleeve that fullycircumferentially surrounds the object.

The sleeve segment 16 includes a deformable inner section, which forinstance, includes a plurality of longitudinal (axial) ribs 24. Theclamp 18, which may include a sleeve 26, presses the sleeve segment 16against the bar ends 12 and 14. The deformable inner section 20 of thesleeve segment 16 deforms to conform to the shape of the bar ends, andin particular to deformations 32 and 34 on the respective bar ends 12and 14.

This conforming is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, which show deformationof the ribs 24 at various locations 36 along an inner surface 38 of thesleeve segment 16. The locations 36 correspond to the deformations 32and 34 in the bar ends 12 and 14. The ribs 24 may also be somewhatflattened and pressed onto the bar ends 12 and 14 at other locationsalong the bar ends 12 and 14, i.e., locations where the bar ends 12 and14 do not have deformations 32 and 34.

It will be appreciated that by deforming the deformable inner section 20(and the ribs 24) of the sleeve segment 16, and by maintaining pressureto keep the sleeve segment 16 in contact with the bar ends 12 and 14, astrong splice may be made between the bar ends 12 and 14. The ribs 24,for example, provide great strength and a great deal of resistance topulling out of the bar ends 12 and 14 from the splice 10. With the ribs24 deformed and the sleeve segment 16 pressed against and onto the barends 12 and 14 by the clamp 18, the sleeve segment is locked onto thebar ends 12 and 14, thereby splicing the bars together.

The deformable inner section 20 of the sleeve segment 16 may be made ofa material that is softer, more malleable, and/or has a greaterductility than the material of the bar ends 12 and 14. Examples ofsuitable materials for the sleeve segments 16 are 1117 steel and 1020steel. It will be appreciated that other suitable materials may beutilized which have a hardness which is less than the hardness of thereinforcing bar ends 12 and 14. Standard reinforcing bars have ahardness of about 12-15 HRC (about 210 Brinnell-mm ball).

The sleeve segment 16 may have uniform material properties, such as auniform hardness, malleability, and ductility throughout. Alternatively,it will be appreciated that some portions of the sleeve segment 16 mayhave different properties than other portions. For example, thedeformable inner section 20 may be softer than an outer section 40 ofthe sleeve segment 16. This may be accomplished, for instance, by flametreating or otherwise treating the outer sections 40 to increase thehardness of the outer section 40.

The splice 10 shown in FIG. 1 is only a generalized illustration. Aswill be described in greater detail below, the sleeve segment 16 and theclamp 18 may have a wide variety of various forms. For example, thesleeve segment 16 may be a separate insert placed within one or moresleeves or collars, placed between the rebar ends 12 and 14 and innersurfaces of the sleeves or collars. Alternatively, the sleeve segment 16with the ribs 24 or other deformable inner section 20 may itself be apart of a sleeve that surrounds the bar ends 12 and 14. There may be onesleeve segment 16 or multiple such segments.

The clamp 18 may be one or more sleeves or collars that press inward onthe sleeve segment 16. Alternatively or in addition the clamp 18 mayinclude one or more bolts that press against the sleeve segment 16, thebar ends 12 and 14, or an additional insert. As a further alternative,the clamp 18 may include deformed sections of the sleeve segment 16utilizing methods such as crimping to permanently deform entire sectionsof the sleeve segment 16, thereby deforming the ribs 24 or otherdeformable inner section 20 of the sleeve 16, and maintaining pressureof the sleeve section 16 after the crimping operation is completed.

FIG. 4 shows details of one embodiment of the ribs 24. As shown, theribs 24 have a crenellated shape, although it will be appreciated thatthe ribs 24 may have a different shape. The ribs 24 each have distal topportions 44, farther from a sleeve segment body 46 than proximate bottomportions 48 of the ribs 24. There are troughs 50 between adjacent of theribs 24. The top portion 44 of a rib 24 has radiused corners 52 and 54.Similarly, the bottom portion 48 has radiused corners 56 and 58 wherethe rib 24 joins to the sleeve segment body 46, on either side of therib 24. The radiused corners 52, 54, 56 and 58 may prevent or inhibitcracking of the ribs 24, such as by reducing stress concentration pointsor stress risers in the ribs 24.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show examples of deformation of the ribs 24 when thesleeve segment 16 is pressed onto the bar ends 12 and 14 by the clamp18. FIG. 5 shows a relatively modest level of deformation, such as mayoccur in an area corresponding to an area of one of the bars 12 and 14that does not include deformations 32 and 34. In the configuration shownin FIG. 5 the top portions 44 of the ribs 24 are somewhat flattened,reducing the distance between adjacent of the top portions 44 in thetroughs 50. The spacing in the troughs 50 between the bottom portions 48of adjacent of the ribs 24 may be substantially unchanged by thedeforming process, or alternatively may be reduced somewhat, but by lessthan the spacing reduction between the top portions 44.

FIG. 6 illustrates a more pronounced deformation of the ribs 24. Theconfiguration shown in FIG. 6 may occur in an area of the inner surfaceof the sleeve segment 16 corresponding to the deformations 32 and 34.The top portions 44 of the ribs 24 are sufficiently flattened so as tosubstantially close off the tops of the troughs 50. The top portions 44may thereby come into contact with one another. Again, as with theconfiguration shown in FIG. 5, the distance between the bottom portions48 of the ribs 24 may be substantially unchanged, or may be reducedsomewhat without causing contact between the bottom portions 48 ofadjacent of the ribs 24.

What follows now are descriptions of various particular embodiments ofthe splice 10. These various illustrative embodiments provide some ideaof the great range of configurations that may utilize the deformablelongitudinal (axial) ribs 24 or other deformable inner section 20.

FIGS. 7-10 illustrate a sleeve section 116 that has a sleeve sectionbody 118 having tapered outer surfaces 120 and 122. The sleeve sectionwall or body 118 has notches 126, 128, and 130 therein. Troughs 132between adjacent of the ribs 124 provide thinned hinged points 136, 138,and 140, at which elements or sections 142, 144, 146, and 148, can pivotrelative to one another. It should be noted that a trough 132 betweenadjacent of the ribs 124 does not necessarily correspond in location toeach of the notches 126, 128, and 130.

The taper of the tapered outer surfaces 120 and 122 may be between about1 and about 5 degrees. The sleeve segments 116 may have an overallextent of about 125 to about 150 degrees.

With reference now in addition to FIG. 11, a clamp 168 is used to clampthe sleeve section 116 and an additional sleeve section 176 toreinforcing bar ends 182 and 184, to form a splice 185. The clamp 168includes a pair of tapered collars 186 and 188. The tapered collars 186and 188 have tapered inner surfaces, such as the inner surface 190 ofthe collar 186. The tapered inner surfaces correspond to and interactwith the tapered outer surfaces 120 and 122 of the sleeve sections 116and 176. The tapered collars 186 and 188 may be driven onto the sleevesections 116 and 176 with an appropriate tool. Axial force from thecollars 186 and 188 result in a radial inward force on the sleevesections 116 and 176, driving the sleeve sections 116 and 176 toward andonto the reinforcing bar ends 182 and 184. This may deform the ribs 124,especially conforming them to deformations on the reinforcing bar ends182 and 184. Further details regarding suitable collars and tools may befound in U.S. application Ser. No. 10/155,551, filed Jan. 23, 2002; inU.S. application Ser. No. 10/055,399, filed Jan. 23, 2002; and in aconcurrently-filed application, Attorney Docket No. ERICP0326USB, titled“Reinforcing Bar Connection and Method.” All of these applications arehereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Turning now to FIGS. 12-14 a splice 210 for coupling togetherreinforcing bar ends 212 and 214 is shown. The splice 210 includes aclamp 218 for clamping a pair of sleeve segments 220 and 222 into and/oronto the bar ends 212 and 214. The clamp 218 includes a sleeve 226 intowhich the sleeve segments 220 and 222 are inserted. The sleeve 226 has aplurality of radially-oriented protrusions 230, each of which has athreaded hole therein for receiving one of a plurality of bolts or jackscrews 232. The bolts 232 may be shear bolts, which have heads thatshear off when a certain level of torque is reached. The bolts 232 pressdown onto the upper sleeve segment 220, pressing the upper sleevesegment 220 into or onto the bar ends 212 and 214, and pressing the barends 212 and 214 into or onto the lower sleeve segment 222. The use ofshear bolts as the bolts 232 controls the amount of force that is usedin pressing the sleeve segments 220 and 222 onto the bar ends 212 and214. In addition, the use of shear bolts as the bolts 232 reduces thelevel by which the bolts 232 protrude from the protrusions 230 of thesleeve 226, after installation is complete.

As best shown in FIG. 13, the lower sleeve segment 222 may have agreater circumferential extent than the upper sleeve segment 220.However, it will be appreciated that alternatively the sleeve segments220 and 222 may have substantially identical circumferential extent, orthat the upper sleeve segment 220 may have a greater circumferentialextent than the lower sleeve segment 222.

With reference now to FIG. 15 the lower sleeve segment 222 haslongitudinal ribs 234 thereupon. The ribs 234 are designed to bedeformed when pressed onto the bar ends 212 and 214, in a manner similarto that described with regard to other embodiments. The upper sleevesegment 220 has circumferential teeth 238 thereupon. The teeth 238 aredesigned to bite into the bar ends 212 and 214, thus securing the topsof the bar ends 212 and 214.

In addition, the lower sleeve segment 222 may have axial teeth 240 on anouter surface 242 thereof. The axial teeth 240 may bite into a bottompart of the sleeve 226, thus preventing sliding of the lower sleevesegment 222 relative to the sleeve 226. The outer surface axial teeth240 of the lower sleeve segment 222, and the inner surface axial teeth238 of the upper sleeve segment 220, will in general be harder than theportions of the splice 210 which they contact. That is, the axial teeth238 of the upper sleeve segment 220 will in general be harder than thematerial of the bar ends 212 and 214. The outer axial teeth 240 of thelower sleeve segment 222 may be harder than the bottom portion of thesleeve 226. This facilitates biting of the axial teeth 238 and 240 inthe respective surfaces that they contact.

Many variations are possible regarding the securement of the uppersleeve segment 220 to the bar ends 212 and 214, and the securement ofthe lower sleeve segment 222 to the sleeve 226. For either or bothsecurements, it will be appreciated that the axial teeth shown may beomitted.

Other variations are illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17. Referring to FIG.16, according to one variation, an upper sleeve segment 250 haslongitudinal (axial) ribs thereupon, and a lower sleeve segment 256 hasaxial teeth on an inner surface thereof. In another variation,illustrated in FIG. 17, both an upper sleeve segment 260 and a lowersleeve segment 262 may have respective sets of longitudinal ribsthereupon.

It will further be appreciated that it may be possible to omit the uppersleeve segment 220 entirely, with the bolts 232 directly engaging thebar ends 212 and 214.

As shown in the FIG. 12, the bolts 232 are substantially in a singleline along the axis of the bar ends 212 and 214. It will be appreciatedthat alternatively, the protrusions 230 and the bolts 232 may be otherthan in a single line, for example, being in a zigzag configuration,perhaps used in conjunction with a wider (larger circumferential extent)upper sleeve segment 220. Such arrangement may allow for a shortersleeve 226, while still providing sufficient force to maintain the barends 212 and 214 engaged in the splice 210.

As another alternative, it will be appreciated that three or more sleevesegments may be utilized. Some or all of the sleeve segments may have alongitudinal ribs or other deformable elements for being pressed ontoand engaging the bar ends 212 and 214.

FIGS. 18 and 19 show an alternative sleeve 320 that includes, as anintegral part, a sleeve segment 322 having ribs 324 formed thereupon.The sleeve 320 includes a protrusion 330 having a number of bolt holes332 for receiving suitable bolts, such as the shear bolts discussedabove. The sleeve 320 may be formed for example by extrusion. It will beappreciated that the sleeve 320 may be incorporated into splice 210described above, with for example, the sleeve 320 replacing the sleeve226 and the lower sleeve segment 222. External parts of the sleeve 320may be flame treated or otherwise hardened, leaving the longitudinalribs 324 softer than other parts of the sleeve 320.

Turning now to FIGS. 20-22, a splice 410 is illustrated couplingtogether bar ends 412 and 414. The splice 410 has a clamp 418 forpressing sleeve segments 420 and 422 onto and/or into the bar ends 412.The clamp 418 includes a C-shaped sleeve 426, and bolts 432 that passthrough bolt holes 434 in flanges 436 and 438 of the sleeve 426. Theupper flange 436 has smooth holes, and the lower flange 438 has threadedholes. As one of the bolts 432 is screwed into the threads of the holes434, the flanges 436 and 438 are subject to an increasing tighteningforce. This constricts the cylindrical portion of the sleeve 426,providing a pressing force on the sleeve segments 420 and 422 againstthe bar ends 412 and 414. One or both of the sleeve segments 420 and 422may have deformable longitudinal ribs thereupon, the operation of whichhas been described above with regard to other embodiments. The sleeve426 may be made of a variety of suitable materials, such as suitablesteels, that have sufficient flexibility for pressing against the sleevesections 420 and 422.

Turning now to FIGS. 23-25, a splice 510 is shown that includes a clamp518 for pressing sleeve segments 520 and 522 onto and/or intoreinforcing bar ends 512 and 514. The sleeve segments 520 and 522 may besimilar to the sleeve segments discussed above. The sleeve 526 includesan upper sleeve half 528 and a lower sleeve half 530. The upper sleevehalf 528 has a pair of rows of through-holes 532 on opposite diametricsides of the bar ends 512 and 514. The lower sleeve half 530 includes acorresponding array of threaded holes 534. The holes 532 and 534 arealigned, and are configured to receive a plurality of bolts 536 tosecurely clamp the sleeve halves 528 and 530 together, thereby pressingthe sleeve segments 520 and 522 inward to engage the bar ends 512 and514.

With reference now to FIGS. 26-29, a splice 610 includes a clamp 618that has a pair of fingered sleeves 620 and 622 that press inwardagainst a ribbed sleeve section 626. This inward pressing of the sleevesection 626 engages the sleeve section 626 with reinforcing bar ends 612and 614. With particular reference to FIGS. 27 and 28; the sleevesegment 626 has multiple hinged section 640, with outer wall notches 642between the sections. Along an inner surface of the sleeve segment 626are a series of longitudinal (axial) deformable ribs 644.

The sleeves 620 and 622 have respective sets of fingers 650 and 652, asis best shown in FIG. 29. The fingers 650 and 652 have angled surfaces.When the sleeves 620 and 622 are slid toward one another from oppositesides of the splice 610, the fingers 650 and 652 interlace orinterdigitate, as shown in FIG. 26. The fingers of each of the sleevesslide under the unfingered portion of the other sleeve, and are pressedinward as the sleeves 620 and 622 are pushed together. The inwardpressure is transmitted to the sleeve segment 626, which presses in uponthe bar ends 612 and 614, thereby deforming portions of the longitudinalribs 644.

FIG. 30 shows the splice 710 that involves cold-swaging or crimpingportions of an internally ribbed sleeve 720 to couple togetherreinforcing bars 712 and 714. With reference to FIG. 31, sleeve 720 hasribs 724 along its internal surface. The cold-swaged or crimpedportions, which are indicated in FIG. 30 by reference number 730, areportions that are pressed inward by use of a suitable tool, such as aportable hydraulic press with special dies. It will be appreciated thatthe cold-swaging operation may be accomplished with less tool force thanin previous cold-swaged couplers, due to the relatively soft material ofthe sleeve 720 that is employed. Rather than needing to cold-swage orcrimp a hard steel sleeve, the relatively soft steel of the sleeve 720and in particular the ribs 724, need only be deformed. It will beappreciated that the configuration and placement of the swaged areas 730may take any of a wide variety of suitable shapes and configurations.

Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to acertain preferred embodiment or embodiments, it is obvious thatequivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled inthe art upon the reading and understanding of this specification and theannexed drawings. In particular regard to the various functionsperformed by the above described elements (components, assemblies,devices, compositions, etc.), the terms (including a reference to a“means”) used to describe such elements are intended to correspond,unless otherwise indicated, to any element which performs the specifiedfunction of the described element (i.e., that is functionallyequivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosedstructure which performs the function in the herein illustratedexemplary embodiment or embodiments of the invention. In addition, whilea particular feature of the invention may have been described above withrespect to only one or more of several illustrated embodiments, suchfeature may be combined with one or more other features of the otherembodiments, as may be desired and advantageous for any given orparticular application.

1. A reinforcing bar splice for joining reinforcing bars, the splicecomprising: a sleeve segment having longitudinal integral ribs deformingto conform to deformations on the reinforcing bars when the sleevesegment and the bars are relatively pressed together; and a clampoperatively configured to relatively press the sleeve segment and thebars together.
 2. The splice of claim 1, wherein the clamp is alsoconfigured to press relatively smooth portions of the bars into theribs.
 3. The splice of claim 1, wherein the ribs have rounded distalcorners.
 4. The splice of claim 1, wherein troughs between the ribs haveproximal rounded corners.
 5. The splice of claim 1, wherein the ribs areof substantially uniform width.
 6. The splice of claim 1, wherein theribs are enlarged at their distal ends.
 7. The splice of claim 1,wherein the ribs are softer than the reinforcing bars. 8-11. (canceled)12. The splice of claim 1, wherein the clamp includes a sleevesurrounding the bars; and wherein the sleeve segment is placed betweenthe sleeve and the bar ends.
 13. The splice of claim 12, wherein thesleeve segment has a tapered outer surface; and wherein the sleeve is atapered collar having a tapered inner surface for engaging the taperedouter surface of the sleeve segment.
 14. The splice of claim 13, whereinthe sleeve segment includes multiple sleeve segment sections hingedlycoupled together.
 15. (canceled)
 16. The splice of claim 13, wherein theclamp includes an additional tapered collar.
 17. (canceled)
 18. Thesplice of claim 12, wherein the clamp also includes plural bolts thatpass through threaded bolt holes in the sleeve to press the ribs intothe deformations. 19 and
 20. (canceled)
 21. The splice of claim 18,wherein the bolts are driven into the bars.
 22. The splice of claim 21,wherein the bolt holes are substantially diametrically opposed to theinsert, on opposite sides of the bars.
 23. The splice of claim 18,wherein the bolts are driven into an insert between the fasteners andthe bars; and wherein the insert is a toothed insert havingcircumferential teeth for biting into the bars.
 24. (canceled)
 25. Thesplice of claim 18, wherein the bolts pull together generally parallelflanges of the sleeve, tightening the sleeve segment around the joinedbars.
 26. The splice of claim 18, wherein the sleeve includes a pair ofsleeve halves; and wherein the bolts pass through one of the sleevehalves and into the other of the sleeve halves, thereby pulling thesleeve halves together and tightening the sleeve segment around thejoined bars.
 27. The splice of claim 12, wherein the sleeve includes apair of sleeve portions that each have axially protruding fingers; andwherein, when the sleeve portions are forced axially toward one another,at least some of the fingers press inward when the fingers of one of thesleeve portions are interdigitated with the fingers of the other of thesleeve portions.
 28. The splice of claim 1, wherein the sleeve segmentis a part of a single-piece sleeve for surrounding the bar ends.
 29. Thesplice of claim 28, wherein the clamp includes bolts that pass throughthreaded bolt holes in the sleeve. 30-42. (canceled)
 43. A method ofsplicing reinforcing bars having deformations thereupon, the methodcomprising: placing longitudinal ribs of a sleeve section against endsof the bars; and pressing the longitudinal ribs onto the bars, causingthem to conform to the bar deformations.
 44. The method of claim 43,wherein the ribs are softer than the reinforcing bars. 45 and 46.(canceled)
 47. The method of claim 43, wherein the pressing includesplacing notches the ribs conforming to the deformations on the bar ends.48. The method of claim 43, wherein the pressing includes flattening topportions of the ribs.
 49. The method of claim 48, wherein the flatteningincludes causing the top portions of adjacent of the ribs to contact oneanother.
 50. (canceled)